Foreign Policy: Terms & Definitions

Isolationism

Isolationism is a foreign policy whereby a country decides to exclude itself from relations from other countries; isolating itself in the world.

Example: the U.S. in the 1920’s when they refused to join the League of Nations. Another example would be North Korea today who purposefully does not interact with many nations.

Unilateralism

Unilateralism refers to countries responding to events on their own

Example: When the arms race began after WWII, there were discussions on arms reduction and disarmament between countries. But these discussions did not go well. As a result, some countries disarmed unilaterally without an international agreement.

Bilateralism

Bilateralism refers to agreements between two countries.

Example: Canada and the United States made a bilateral agreement in an attempt to solve the problem of acid rain.

Multilateralism

Multilateralism involves several countries in working together on a given issue.

Example: United Nations and the World Trade Organization

Supranationalism

Supranationalism is an approach that involves agreeing to abide by the decisions of an international organization made up of independent appointed officials or representatives elected by member states.

Example: the EU is a supranational organization because member states must adhere to EU policies and give up some control over their own affairs.

Internationalism

Internationalism is a political movement which advocates a greater economic and political cooperation among nations.